| Great! You aspire to bare back horse riding. | | | | to where you want to go. Then kick the sides of |
| Today I'm going to give you some tips on getting | | | | the horse. At first your balance may not be so |
| started with this wonderful aspect of | | | | great, so hold on a bit with the mane. As you get |
| horsemanship. Riding bare back is not only fun, but | | | | more experienced you'll find you're able to walk |
| its practical as well. Not in the sense that its a | | | | him out and maintain your balance. As he is |
| great way to take off down the trail, but rather | | | | walking, let your hips follow the movement of his |
| its a great way to improve your overall riding | | | | hips. Don't clamp down attempting to hold on, just |
| skills. You will really get in tune with your horse, | | | | sit up there. |
| sharpen your cues, and dramatically improve your | | | | Stop |
| seat. Imagine how much better you'll be riding | | | | To stop the horse, exhale, and lean backwards. |
| with the saddle after mastering riding bare back. | | | | When he stops return to the normal sitting |
| When you get really good at it, you can even ride | | | | position. In the beginning you can reinforce the |
| bridleless. | | | | cue by pulling back a little bit on the mane. |
| Start in a small, enclosed area, either a round pen | | | | Backing up |
| or an arena. When riding bare back you certainly | | | | Backing up while riding bare back is simply an |
| don't want to get into a situation where the horse | | | | extension of stopping. Keep leaning back. The |
| could take off. At least in an enclosed area he | | | | horse will pick up the body language and keep |
| can't get very far or get up to very much speed. | | | | taking steps backwards. When he's gone as many |
| You should also get started using a riding crop. | | | | steps back as you'd like, sit normally. |
| This is to train your horse on the cues, later it | | | | Turning |
| won't be necessary. The first couple of times | | | | Let's say you want the horse to turn to the left. |
| you'll want to leave a bridle on, that way if you | | | | Once again really focus on body language. Turn |
| need to you can take control with the reins. | | | | your entire body and look and face left. Then put |
| Flexing | | | | some pressure by circling your crop near the right |
| Start off by teaching your horse to flex with no | | | | side of the nose, and begin tapping or kicking his |
| cues from the reins. Do this in two steps. Grab his | | | | right side with your right foot. When he turns as |
| attention by wiggling your foot. Then put pressure | | | | asked, come off all cues. Practice turning in both |
| on the opposite side of the nose. In other words, | | | | directions, first at a stand still, and then while |
| if you want him to turn his head toward your left | | | | walking the horse. |
| foot, wiggle your left foot. Then use your riding | | | | Moving the hind |
| crop on the right side of the face. Don't smack | | | | To ask your horse to move the hindquarter, turn |
| him with it, instead make circles in the air with it, | | | | around and look at it, and then bump with your |
| starting off far from the nose and then gradually | | | | inside leg. |
| getting closer. When he turns toward his left take | | | | After you get comfortable with these basic |
| off the pressure and release your cues. Practice | | | | moves, and your horse understands what you're |
| on both sides. At first he may not turn his head | | | | asking, you can take your bare back horse riding |
| around very far, but eventually you'll want him to | | | | to a new level and start incorporating trotting, |
| flex all the way around. | | | | having your horse spin (start with slow circular |
| Go Forward | | | | movements) and maybe even cantering. You will |
| Now ask your horse to go forward. The prime | | | | improve your balance, really get in tune with your |
| communication method with horses is body | | | | communication, and dramatically improve your |
| language, and this is writ large when we're bare | | | | seat. |
| back horse riding. Sit up straight, and look forward | | | | |